Japan-Taiwan fishing agreement vexes Beijing

Taipei and Tokyo signed an agreement Wednesday allowing Taiwan to fish in a larger portion of waters in the East China Sea, South China Morning Post reported, citing local media reports. The agreement prompted a quick and negative response from Beijing. “We hope that Japan earnestly abides by its promises on the Taiwan issue and acts cautiously and appropriately,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei during a Wednesday news briefing. Under the deal, Tokyo and Taipei will designate an area in Japan’s claimed exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands where fishing by both Japanese and Taiwanese boats will be allowed.